Two charged in Stanchfield Township burglary

Published November 22, 2011 at 1:20 pm

By Rachel Kytonen

Two men are facing felony burglary charges after a concerned citizen alerted law enforcement to a burglary in progress at an unoccupied home in Stanchfield Township.Some of the items that Isanti County law enforcement confiscated inside a van used in a Nov. 16 burglary include copper tubing, Polaris ATV tires, camo deer blind, Wildview camera, skill saw, Mr. Heater, a Stihl weed trimmer and other items. Photo by Rachel Kytonen

Leonard Todd Desoto, 28 of Brainerd and David Nyles Booher, II, 43 of Stanchfield are facing one count of felony 2nd degree burglary after the concerned citizen witnessed the burglary along the 1000 block of 405th Ave. around 3:42 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Desoto and Booher appeared before Judge P. Hunter Anderson Friday, Nov. 18 in 10th District Court in Cambridge where bail for both men was set at $50,000 without conditions or $25,000 with conditions.

Besides the 2nd degree burglary charge, Desoto is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and 5th degree drug possession, both felonies, and misdemeanor traffic drivers license-driving after suspension.

Isanti County Investigator Rob Bowker explained a citizen reported that a white mini-van had left the residence and was heading southbound. The citizen was able to give a license plate number of the van and Isanti County deputies eventually spotted the van north of Cambridge on Hastings Street N.E. The van eventually turned onto 338th Ave. N.E., and the two suspects fled on foot, but were quickly apprehended.

Within the vehicle, law enforcement observed a sizable amount of copper tubing that had been cut at angles and crimped with cutting tools, a camo deer blind, three Polaris ATV tires, a Craftsman skill saw, a Stihl weed trimmer, Mr. Heater contractor heater, a Wildview trail camera, an orange vacuum cleaner and a Dura-start battery Model 70.

“Copper thefts are our highest crime right now,” Bowker said. “They are stealing copper from foreclosed homes and vacant homes for sale. We want to remind our citizens that if they ever see anything suspicious going on to call 911 immediately.”

According to the criminal complaint, in speaking with Isanti County Deputy Dave Matchinsky, Desoto admitted borrowing the van from a friend and picking up Booher, and going into the home looking for copper.

In a follow-up interview with Bowker on Nov. 18, Desoto admitted that the methamphetamine, a scale and some baggies that were found in a backpack inside the van were his.

Desoto has prior drug offenses from Pine County from May 2002 and Isanti County from October 2006.